It's a film of great performances, atmospheric photography, and a sure sense of period and place.
Comment
01/26/06
East of Eden (1955)
87
%
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:30
Fresh:26
Rotten:4
Average Rating:8.2/10
Runtime: 4 hrs
Genre: Dramas
Synopsis: The strong screen adaptation of John Steinbeck's 1952 novel features the debut of James Dean. Like Cain with Abel, a black sheep competes with his brother for his father's love--with tragic results.
Starring: James Dean, Julie Harris, Raymond Massey, Jo Van Fleet
Director: Elia Kazan
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Reviews for East of Eden
James Dean is still the main reason why should we enjoy this very good example of 1950s cinema.
01/01/00
East of Eden is set in 1917 but [James] Dean feels completely modern and contemporary, a boy not quite comfortable in his body.
01/29/09
If you turn the sound down on East of Eden (and, by all means, do), you'll see why Dean is a legend.
05/23/05
In short, there is energy and intensity but little clarity and emotion in this film. It is like a great, green iceberg: mammoth and imposing but very cold.
05/20/03
Top CriticEast of Eden (1955) is an updated telling of the Biblical story of rival brothers, Cain and Abel and a paradise lost.
01/01/00
John Steinbeck's painful biblical allegory -- Genesis replayed in Monterey, California, circa 1917 -- is more palatable on the screen, thanks to the down-to-earth performances of James Dean as Cal/Cain and Richard Davalos as Aron/Abel.
11/01/07
Top CriticWhat could be a better way to spend two hours?
12/06/05
Kazan's Biblical allegory has not held up well, but Dean's performance, for which he was Oscar-nominated posthumously, proves why he became a star after his very first film
07/18/05
... can be seen as one of the earliest examples of the enshrinement of the unregenerate, semi-nihilistic “attitude” that informed and in part created “rock ’n’ roll.”
07/17/05
the real reason that this film has any legs at all (and the ONLY reason that Warner Brothers has released the DVD) rests with James Dean
06/29/05
Dean's performance continues to resonant, still evoking today the same anger, anguish, and confusion of growing up that it did half a century ago.
05/30/05
A showcase for Dean’s searing, gargantuan, force-of-nature performance.
05/03/05
Kazan had the bad sense to leave out the best parts from the lengthy book.
12/02/07
Not only one of Kazan's richest films and Dean's first significant role, it is also arguably the actor's best performance.
12/06/05
Top Criticas exciting a drama as you’re ever likely to see, and ultimately it’s the unforgettable Dean that makes it so
04/21/05
Overwrought, often splendid Kazan version of the Steinbeck novel. The movie's chief distinction is the amazing debut of rebellious, romantic James Dean.
07/30/03
Top CriticA classic of its time.
06/22/05
Top CriticClick to read the article
07/22/08
Top CriticFine James Dean vehicle, one of few that put him into immortality.
03/20/08
Latest News for East of Eden
January 14, 2009:
Uni Tabs Director, Writer for New East of Eden 
Universal and Imagine have announced plans to make a new adaptation of John Steinbeck's "East of Eden," with Tom Hooper attached to direct a script by Christopher Hampton. More...
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